Percy Abbott P.T. Selbit When the list of the 100 "who S.W. Erdnase John Northern Hilliard Robert Lund Siegfried & Roy shaped the art in America" is Theodore Annemann Dariel Fitzkee Professor Hoffmann Jeff McBride Slydini completed in September, there Al Baker Billy McComb will be a ballot for subscribers to Harry Blackstone Sr. Neil Foster Jean Hugaro vote for the "Top Ten of the Harry Blackstone Jr. Guy Jarrett Frances Marshall Century." The results will be pub­ David Bamberg Eddie Tullock Theo Bamberg Uri Geller Gary Ouellet lished in the December issue. Don Wayne Walter B. Gibson William W. Larsen Sr. Penn & Teller Dr. A.M. Wilson Those who have appeared since J.B. Bobo A.C. Gilbert Bill Larsen Jr. Channing Pollock the series began in January are Horace Goldin Milt Larsen John Ramsay listed here. Ben Chavez Will Goldston Rene Lavand Richiardi Jr. T. Nelson Downs U.F. Grant Marvyn Roy Servais Le Roy John Scarne

At an elegant dinner, the host was about to carve into a -magnificently garnished roasted chicken. Malini halted him, offering to show the assembled party “a leetle trick...” With a mystical gesture, the bird sprang to life, jumped off the plate, and squawked its way back to the kitchen! As with many of ’s extraordinary characters, tales of their feats often became legendary within their own lifetimes, making it difficult to distinguish history from fantasy. So it was with Malini. But therein lies the true greatness of his magical persona. Max Malini was a most clever conjuror. A study of his skills, methods, and diabolical reveals only a small part of the secret of his triumphs. He knew when to, and when not to, do a trick. Yet, he stood in readiness to amaze people when they least expected it. Conditions had to be just right, and he was never in a rush. He would wait for the precise moment, sometimes it was hours — “once I vaited for days” — before performing one of his impromptu miracles. Perhaps Malini’s greatest influence on performance magic was his earnest understanding of the importance of creating legend.

54 MAGIC ■ JULY 1999 He was a pragmatic word smith, and because of his exten­ sive background as a practitioner of magic, was extremely qualified to teach. In 1946, as Ganson wrote his first book, Expert Manipulation of Playing Cards, he was performing a cabaret act of split-fan productions, card fanning, and fancy flourishes. A decade later, when the Book of Magic was penned, Lewis actually became one of The Professor’s first pupils. He was privileged to take both motion pictures and extensive still photographs of most of Vernon’s presentations. Ganson not only mastered, but performed, just about every sleight, subtle move, or bit of misdirection that went into that epic volume. Lewis Ganson practiced what he preached. Focusing on teaching the effects of some of the world’s finest close-up performers, he went on to write and edit 65-plus pub­ lications, including 15 years of the trick-filled monthly maga­ zine, The Gen. Lewis Ganson’s contributions to the literature of magic were impetus to the popularity that close-up has enjoyed since the middle of the century. Gonson <1913-1980)

At a time when the science of television seemed to eclipse the magic of the stage conjuror, David Copperfield realized that this powerful electronic media was capable of making the whole world his glittering stage. David captured the fancy of America and the rest of the world by transcending the technologies of television with his magic and illusion. Here was a dashing young man who vanished seven-ton Lear jets, caused national monu­ ments to disappear, then walked through the Great Wall of China. Copperfield was not yet 30 years old, and he had already succeeded in launching a new creature of contem­ porary show business — the superstar of magic. Augmenting his extraordinary accomplishment of pro­ ducing 18 network extravaganzas is his mind-boggling schedule of 500-plus live concerts annually for the past 20 years. David Copperfield has repeatedly made the Fortune 500 top-ten list of the world’s wealthiest entertainers, proving that elevating the art of magic and the magician to celebrity status has its just rewards.

MAGIC • JULY 1999 55 “Never, ever tell how it’s done” is a cardinal rule of many conjuring books. Paul Charlie Miller cherished the secrets of magic. For him, (1917-1986) secrets were always to be Ciury kept as the hidden tools of A beautiful young lady’s severed head appeared to rest the genteel art of deception. comfortably on a sword; yet, she was able to smile, laugh, and Strongly influenced by even whistle a tune for young Paul Curry. It was only the bal­ the writings of Erdnase, lyhoo stunt of a side-show magician. However, at age nine, it Charlie believed that the was one young man’s fatal fascination with the principles of mechanics of legerdemain deception. were the earned skills nec­ Curry went on to become a successful executive with a essary to create the desired effect. As a young man, he was medical insurance firm, but his formidable hobby of magic relentless in his pursuit, practice, and performance of all genre remained a passion all his life. As a distinguished amateur, he of magic, be it stage, parlor, or close-up. His longtime studies originated many sleights and tricks, wrote a column, “Curry with masters Dai Vernon, Faucett Ross, and Max Malini Favors,” in The Phoenix, and published at least three volumes caused Charles Earle Miller to flourish as one of the century’s of highly original effects. greatest exponents of pure . By 1977, he was recognized with a Creative Fellowship Miller was often criticized for being clandestine, attaching from the Academy of Magical Arts. Of his numerous creations too much sacredness to the “real work.” However, it was this and inventions, none had the motivating spirit that instilled a practical sense of the power of universal impact of “Out of This secrets in others. And, when Charlie Miller did share his World,” the trick that he origi­ knowledge and boundless expertise, it was not only for the nated when he was 24 years old. benefit of the privileged individuals who surrounded him, it Paul Curry’s feat of pseudo pre­ was for the enrichment of the entire art of magic. cognition — where a spectator I ■ miraculously separates the black cards from the red cards — has been, still is, and apparently will forever be in the repertoires of thousands upon thousands of (1909-1989) professionals and amateurs alike.

In the last quarter of this century, Eugene caused us to think about our magic. Maybe it’s because a whole lot of serious thought went into his brand of bewilderment. Before becoming a professional close-up conjuror in 1978, Burger was an academic, pursuing a career as teacher, a historian of religion, and a philosopher. An “experience” best describes a close-up performance by . His simple parlor tricks arouse feelings of astonishment, as well as a host of other indescribable sensations. Because of his dramatic abil­ ity to emotionally involve an audience in his magical presentations, each person is not only thoroughly entertained, but genuinely spellbound. Burger has lectured and written much about the creation of mean­ ingful and memorable performances. You see, Eugene really believes in LAMONT

L the power of magic. Over the century, many masters have speculated E about the principles and the why of magic, but it is doubtful if any have ICHA M

: been as successful in communicating their philosophies and theories as O Eugene Burger. PHOT

56 MAGIC ■ JULY 1999 His intense intellectual interests and profound philoso­ phies on the art are eloquently expressed in his recent work, The Books of Wonder. The two-volume study of the omnibus career of is a journey that pas­ sionately merges artistry and professionalism. Along the way, Tommy crosses paths with the disciplines of the crafts­ man, as he designs and creates the tangibles, those mar­ velous props that play an integral parts in his performances. The magic of Wonder, whether it be his classic stage act or his exquisite close-up routines, is exemplar of a quest for perfection. He never ceases to develop new skills or invent different methods in order to create something better. He is truly a work in progress. The theoretical thinking, blended with his zeal for creat­

ing astonishment, and his abilities to enlighten fellow per­ TE WH

formers through the teachings of his Books of Wonders, NNE A

have made Tommy a performer to be reckoned with — a : O true Renaissance man. PHOT

Larry Jennings (1933-1998)

The first time he witnessed a performance of “Out of This World,” he was stunned. “1 wish 1 could convey the feelings 1 had when I turned over those cards,” Jennings once wrote, “...from that moment on, 1 was obsessed with card tricks that had a motive.” Larry was a quick learner, and because his mentor was none other than Dai Vernon, he soon had a philosophy that went along with his capabilities with cards. The mere synergy of The Professor’s presence at the undoubtedly inspired Jennings to new heights. His early improvements on the works of his predecessors were over­ whelming. He devised clever new techniques and subtle moves, as well as elegant solutions to card problems. However, it was his uncanny capacity to develop and construct totally new routines and tricks that elevated him. above other cardmen. He realized that methods must be the intangible and invisible ele­

TE ments of a card trick — the effect must be everything. Long after HI W Larry’s innovations in sleight of hand are learned, practiced, and per­

NNE haps perfected, most remembered will be his marvelous plots — A

:

O those cardboard creations that are simply known as the mysteries of T O

PH .

MAGIC • JULY 1999 57 There’s hardly anything to do with magic literature that he hasn’t attempted and accomplished. He’s a pub­ lisher, editor, writer, illustrator, photographer, collector of historical books, and discoverer of new titles. The odds are amazingly high that any serious English-read­ ing magician has purchased not one, but instead, at least a half-dozen of the 75-plus publications produced by Richard Kaufman. And he’s done it all in just a little over two decades. Before he turned 40, he became the youngest magi­ cian ever to receive the Academy of Magical Arts Literary Fellowship. More amazing than his prolifera­ tion is the fact that Kaufman has brought to print some of the most influential magicians and most interesting TH I SM

magic ever. C

And even more staggering than the profundity of his IE L S LE

output is the impact that he has had on the magic book Y business. By giving the face of magic books a graphic TTSS makeover, he has elevated expectations for quality pub­ U CO lications. And because his contributions continue to be NTING monumental, Richard Kaufman perpetuates the highest I A publishing standards for magic. P

At the turn of the century, talented young woodworker and magician Floyd Thayer trekked from Vermont to . Dovetailing Yankee ingenuity with a strong entre­ preneurial spirit, he opened his own shop, manufacturing salt and pepper shakers, candlestick holders, and other curios. By 1902, an ad in Mahatma advised that Thayer’s “Magic Shop of the West” was manufacturing custom magic wands, “turned of highly polished California orangewood, with rare hardwood mountain manzanita tips.” Before long, Floyd was designing and creating props and apparatus for the likes of Kellar, Houdini, Carter, Thurston, Dante, and a multitude of amateur performers. By the time he began issuing his first catalogs, the Thayer name was already synonymous with quality and the artistic use of fine woods — mahogany, maple, rosewood, and walnut — in magic manu­ facturing. More importantly, Thayer set high standards for other master builders of this century. The commitment to excellence was carried forward by his partner Carl Owen. Today, Les Smith perpetuates that interpretative craftsmanship of the classics — a tradition set forth 100 years ago by American magic’s supreme artisan in wood, Floyd G. Thayer.

58 MAGIC • JULY 1999 PHOTO: SRTVENS MAGIC EMPORIUM performed nation. changing excellence As North captains, sponsored venue. continued flourishing new of lished his the marketers illusionists

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PHOTO COURTESY DAVI D CHARVER